In Pictures: Key moments in Andy Burnham’s political career so far

By Staff reporter
Published 22nd May 2026, 11:38 GMT
Updated 22nd May 2026, 11:55 GMT
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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has launched his campaign after being chosen as the Labour Party’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election.

If Mr Burnham secures the most votes in the June 18 poll, he will be viewed as the leading challenger to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister if he steps down or if a Labour leadership contest is triggered.

Mr Burnham’s political career to date has included numerous ups and downs, and here we dip into the Press Association’s pictures archive to take a look at the key moments that have shaped it.

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New Labour rising star

Andy Burnham was first elected as an MP for Leigh in 2001 and served in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

In a sign he was being groomed for bigger things, he was appointed as a parliamentary aide to the then-home secretary David Blunkett.placeholder image
In a sign he was being groomed for bigger things, he was appointed as a parliamentary aide to the then-home secretary David Blunkett.

Ministerial jobs followed, first as a junior minister in the Home Office, and then in the Department of Health, before Mr Brown’s move into Number 10 brought him into the cabinet as chief secretary to the Treasury.

Hillsborough memorial service

It was as culture secretary that Mr Burnham took on an issue that has become a cornerstone of his career – the fight for justice for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

Hecklers booed and interrupted his speech at a 20-year anniversary event at Anfield in 2009, demanding justice for the victims.placeholder image
Hecklers booed and interrupted his speech at a 20-year anniversary event at Anfield in 2009, demanding justice for the victims.
It prompted him to raise Hillsborough in cabinet, leading to the creation of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. The panel’s 2012 report was critical of blame put on to fans and prompted then-prime minister David Cameron to offer in the House of Commons a “profound apology” for the “double injustice”.placeholder image
It prompted him to raise Hillsborough in cabinet, leading to the creation of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. The panel’s 2012 report was critical of blame put on to fans and prompted then-prime minister David Cameron to offer in the House of Commons a “profound apology” for the “double injustice”.
Speaking at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, Mr Burnham told the audience that the barracking he had received five years earlier helped him “find the political courage to do something”.placeholder image
Speaking at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, Mr Burnham told the audience that the barracking he had received five years earlier helped him “find the political courage to do something”.

A Hillsborough Law was first introduced to Parliament by Mr Burnham in March 2017 but it did not progress before the general election later that year.

Subsequent legislation introduced by the current Labour Government in September 2025 would include a legal “duty of candour”, where public servants could face jail if they are found not to have told the truth during investigations or inquiries.

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Failed Labour leadership bids

Mr Burnham has stood in two previous Labour leadership contests.

His first tilt at the party’s leadership came in 2010 when he finished fourth in the contest, behind winner Ed Miliband, David Miliband and Ed Balls. Diane Abbott finished fifth.placeholder image
His first tilt at the party’s leadership came in 2010 when he finished fourth in the contest, behind winner Ed Miliband, David Miliband and Ed Balls. Diane Abbott finished fifth.
It was a different story five years later, however, when he was considered the frontrunner in the party’s 2015 leadership contest. This time, however, he was defeated by Jeremy Corbyn.placeholder image
It was a different story five years later, however, when he was considered the frontrunner in the party’s 2015 leadership contest. This time, however, he was defeated by Jeremy Corbyn.
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Leaving Westminster behind

After deciding that Westminster was not delivering for the regions, Mr Burnham took the high-risk decision to leave Parliament entirely.

He stood for the newly created role of mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, winning with more than 60% of the vote.

This move allowed Mr Burnham to reinvent his political identity away from the Westminster bubble.placeholder image
This move allowed Mr Burnham to reinvent his political identity away from the Westminster bubble.
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‘King of the North’placeholder image
‘King of the North’

Mr Burnham’s profile skyrocketed during the pandemic when he clashed with then-prime minister Boris Johnson over lockdown restrictions on his region, earning himself the moniker “King of the North”.

The 56-year-old has also earned respect through his handling of two terror attacks during his mayoralty: Manchester Arena was targeted in a suicide bombing just weeks after he started in 2017, and Heaton Park synagogue was attacked in October 2025.

Launching the Bee Network

Mr Burnham’s publicly run transport system was set up in Greater Manchester in 2023, bringing local bus services – the Bee Network – back under public ownership, with more routes and lower fares.placeholder image
Mr Burnham’s publicly run transport system was set up in Greater Manchester in 2023, bringing local bus services – the Bee Network – back under public ownership, with more routes and lower fares.
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Makerfield by-election

Amid deep national instability for the Labour leadership under Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Burnham is seeking a return to Parliament by contesting the Makerfield by-election after Josh Simons stepped down as the constituency’s MP.placeholder image
Amid deep national instability for the Labour leadership under Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Burnham is seeking a return to Parliament by contesting the Makerfield by-election after Josh Simons stepped down as the constituency’s MP.

The seat has a relatively slim Labour majority and the by-election is being fiercely contested by Reform UK, so Mr Burnham’s path back to Westminster is far from certain. The coming weeks will decide what the next chapter in his political career will be.

Related topics:Andy BurnhamBee NetworkCoronavirusGalleryGreater ManchesterHillsboroughLabour Party
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